Lowest Valued Rarities?
 

Throwing the basic economics of supply and demand out the window, what (if any) are the lowest priced pre war rarities out there?

I was just curious if one could acquire some rarer cards at a reasonable price.

I think there are plenty like this because no one collects those cards for various reasons. For example of the sets that I collect, there are many cards in the 1920 w519 type 2 set that have a total graded population count of less than 5. However, if these cards were listed in a straight ebay auction starting at 99 cents, I wouldn't surprised if the ending price was less than $10. The Baguer Chocolate set that I also collect has a very low graded population count for most cards. However, most collectors dislike the small size of the "cards" so they are rarely collected and the prices if sold via straight ebay auction starting at 99 cents tends to be very low.

I think some/most of the low priced/valued rarities are so low priced/valued is because of their rarity.

T206's are common but some of the backs are really hard to find. However, because so many T206's were made and still in existence, it gives people hope when they start going after a certain back that either 1) given enough time and money they can find and acquire a number of them or 2) more will come out of the woodwork.

That is not true with a number of sets. The cards are so rare and don't come up very often that people don't get interested in them because they think they have no shot at completion no matter how much time or money they have.

David

I think the Frederick Foto Ruth is still tragically undervalued. And that bad boy is rare as hell. One day... One day.

i realize it's all relative...but I don't think the OP is referring to 25-30K undervalued rarities?

Low priced rarities...
 

If you want rare and low price, look no further than Type 1 Coupons (T213-1). When one occasionally comes available, they can be had in the $200-$400 range. Of course they are paper thin and super condition sensitive, but that makes them more attractive to me. Try finding one in a Grade 2 or higher. (Good luck with that...) Furthermore, when I say rare, I mean rare. To date there are less than 10 examples of any one type 1 coupon that have been slabbed by PSA,SGC,Beckett combined. (there are several with less than 5 slabbed in the type set) Depending on your definition of rare, I typically stick with 10 or less of any one example. One could throw the slabbed and the raw together and it would take a lifetime to count more than 10 exmples known of any one card. Coupons present tremendous value when you look at price and availability. (Of course there are some double entries with PSA/SGC so the slabbed number may actually be a little lower)

Edited to also add, I don't know of anyone with a complete Type 1 Coupon set. I have been waiting on confirmation of a complete type 1 set out on the west coast, but my source has yet to confirm it with his own eyes. Verbally of course - I spent 12 years trying to put one together and got to the high 50 count, but couldn't get those last few dozen. Gave up the ghost. A lot of fun trying though... Still would love to see an entire Type 1 set with my own eyes.

I agree with the rarity, but I can't comment on the price range, because I've never seen one actively for sale!! :D Just bad luck on my part, I guess, but if anyone has a T213-1 Dode Paskert out there, I'd really, really love to see it!!

Good call. I was mainly thinking rarities for less than $1000 give or take.

Is there a definitive set list for the Coupons?

Steve - They come around in cycles... might go a few months without seeing any then a few pop up, but they go quick. The price is usually reasonable, but sometimes I see them mislabeled or even misidentified on ebay as T206, etc. - Usually someone gets a deal in that case. Here's a pic of the Paskert I once owned - Long gone.

OK, they aren't cards, but are included in most check lists, and I've always thought that silks (S-74 & S-81), flannels (B-18, Cravats, etc.) and stamps (Piedmont, Helmar, etc.), are tremendously undervalued given their age, attractiveness, and in most cases rarity as well. I guess it's got to be cardboard to be included in the mainstream, but if you're looking for bargains in the hobby this is a great place to look, IMO.

How about E135-type blank backs? I haven't seen anything to suggest any more than 3 exist for any one card. They routinely sell for $20-$50.

Thanks for posting the pic! It's good to know that Dode is out there somewhere, justing waiting for me!! :D

Set List
 

Yes there is a definitive list. 68 or 69 best I recall. 20 of those are SLer's. In my opinion they are even a little more rare than the rest of the bunch. (All very tough to acquire)

Lipset guide, SCD-Krause, or online list have them...

Couldn't agree more. B18s and BF2s are generally pretty inexpensive, even the stars. And Cravats are extremely scarce. There are only a few known examples of each cataloged example, yet they often only go for a few hundred when they turn up.